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iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7

Key features and upgrades

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus hit the headlines when they became the first in the series to ditch the headphone jack in favour of wireless headphones – a controversial move but one that ultimately didn’t put off loyal fans.

They are also the first in the series to be dust and water resistant – a welcome feature giving users reassurance when using their phones outdoors in adverse weather conditions.

Both iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus also feature the A10 chip. At 40% faster than the previous year’s model, this was an impressive leap forward.

So, apart from screen size, what separates the two?

Well if you’re keen on photography, iPhone 7 Plus is a clear winner. It sports two rear facing cameras that work in unison – with the second camera giving you 2x optical zoom. Unlike digital zoom, this allows you to get in close to your subject without sacrificing quality.

On battery life, iPhone 7 Plus is ahead too, as you’d expect from a larger format phone. iPhone 7 Plus has up to 24 hours talk time compared to 14 hours for iPhone 7 – or up to 60 hours’ audio playback vs 40 hours for iPhone 7 (according to Apple’s own figures). It’s worth noting that these specs refer to ‘wireless’ talk time and ‘wireless’ audio playback – though Apple’s new AirPods are not included in the box.

iPhone 7 Plus is a step up in price of course – so if you don’t feel a dual camera and extra battery life are essential, the more pocket-sized (and pocket-friendly) iPhone 7 may be the one for you. You’ll still benefit from Apple’s A10 chip, a wide colour Retina display and the reassurance of water and dust resistance.